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Story of the Museum
Story of the Museum
Sketch of Museum
A group from the village of Frenchay have been working since 1995 to create a museum which will celebrate the unique non-conformist heritage of the village. The Frenchay Tuckett Society –a registered charity– was formed to find a home for a large collection of artefacts which were offered to the village by descendants of some of the early Frenchay Quakers.
     In 1998, the Society took over the derelict lodge at the gates to the grounds of Frenchay Hospital, and with the help of many supporters, and especially Winterbourne Parish Council, the building was restored as a home for these treasures from our area's past. READ MORE










Frenchay Village Museum as it is today
Frenchay Village Museum as it is today

Two factors made the Museum possible: first, North Bristol NHS Trust made the derelict West Lodge at Frenchay Hospital available; secondly, Winterbourne Parish Council adopted the Museum as its Millennium Project. The Council made significant grants to the Society which largely paid for the restoration of the building and its adaptation for its new role was largely undertaken by local volunteers. A stairlift was paid for by the Millennium Awards for All sheme to allow access to the first floor for those with mobility problems. South Gloucestershire Council have agreed to help with running costs, as the museum offers free entry.
     The Collection contains hundreds of items, ranging from a locally made brick to a unique portrait of a Frenchay Quaker by William Holman Hunt, the famous pre-Raphaelite artist. Victorian journals and books of travel to the Alps and a village called Chicago, Quaker wedding certificates, and a large collection of historic pictures, photographs and postcards are just a few of the more important items.
      A set of Parish Magazines from 1889 to 1974 together with other local records, are being put into searchable computer format, which it is hoped will provide a useful database for local and family history researchers

Presentation of Certificate
Steve Webb presents the Certificate of registration to Alan Freke

     ThaRegistered Museum logonks to the help of both South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Museum, Frenchay Village Museum has been able to establish a voluntary museum running to professional standards. In May 2002, it was officially recognised as a museum meeting professional standards by re:source, The Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries (formerly The Museums and Galleries Commission). The certificate was formally presented to the Musum on Saturday 12 October 2002, by Steve Webb, MP for Northavon

     On Sunday 11 March 2001, we greeted our 2000th visitor...
On 29 April 2001, we celebrated our first anniversary, and on 1 August 2001, our 3000th visitor was counted in. Then, on 14 August 2002, we greeted our 5001st visitor and, more recently, by the end of June 2004, we had welcomed 9500 visitors.
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Story of the Museum